Chapter 1 #6
I head into the back room, which is already cleaned up for the night. Alia’s working on the front window displays, while Rae-Rae sweeps the floors. Lindsay has already gone home for the day, but there’s one piece of sweet bread left in the box she brought this morning.
“Aha.” I take the box and hurry back out onto the floor, making a beeline for my brother and Nolan, who have finished with the boxes. As I approach, there’s a lull in their conversation, and I do my best to be suave.
“Sweet bun?” I offer to Apollo, but my voice cracks, and I have to cough to clear my throat.
Great, Mia. Nice.
Apollo gives me a puzzled look. “No, I’m good. I ate already.”
“Oh, okay.” I turn to Nolan. Perfect, gorgeous, intense Nolan. “How about you?”
Nolan’s smile is patient. “I can’t eat. I don’t have a stomach.”
I want to disappear into the floor. Of course, I knew that—why would a robot have a stomach?
—but it slipped my mind in the moment. I’m usually so much better at this stuff.
I can be flirtatious, sexy, fun. This guy has me acting like a total dork, and my brother’s laughter, however well-meaning, draws color to my face.
Why haven’t they invented transporters yet?
I want to blink out of here and hide in my room forever.
“Oh.” I try to laugh at myself a little, in a weak attempt to deflect my own embarrassment. “Sorry. I was on autopilot.”
“It’s not a problem,” he replies.
His irises are so white. So intense. Like he’s looking through me. Wait—I read somewhere that androids can read vitals to anticipate things like heart attacks and other health problems. Oh, shit. That just sends my heart thundering worse. Can he see it?
In defeat, I take the rejected sweet bun to the back room. With a soft “Fuck it,” I take a bite and throw the box away.
After devouring my consolation prize to my failed icebreaker, I return to the storefront and do my best to avoid looking at Nolan.
I mess with my phone and pretend like I haven’t already found the best areas of the shop for recording.
My brother’s right there, and the few times I allow my eyes to wander, Apollo watches me like an annoying hawk. You’d think I was back in high school.
At one point Apollo waves at me, and I quickly look away, refraining from rolling my eyes. Ugh. I just want to tell him to go away! What is it about older brothers being annoying and getting in the way of everything? It’s a mystery of life.
Fortunately, I have a small reprieve from his surveillance when he follows Jessica into her office.
With the door shut, I’ve no doubt they’re either talking business or sharing a few moments of stolen affection.
Gag. But this is my chance. Now, I can look at Nolan whenever I like as he peruses the store, looking around curiously at the items in men’s section. I just have to not be obvious about it.
Don’t be creepy, Mia. Be cool.
The few times I risk it, he’s looking my way too.
My cheeks flush hot. He’s an android, I know, but I have myriad friends with all kinds of opinions on bionics.
A few die-hard Humanity First supporters are among them, and I recognize from first-hand experience the validity and the fear of losing jobs to automation.
But I’ve also got some pro-bionic friends.
They’re a bit more hippie than me—hello, California—but because of them, I’m hooked on a few pro-bionic social media celebs.
Lucy Warren is the most established, and I love how tranquil her voice is, how intelligent she sounds when she talks about issues.
I also follow Becca Schroeder, who’s definitely using her pro-bionic powers for good in the political department.
And then there’s Madison Hadley, an influencer who’s just started to grow a following from sharing a couple’s blog in New York. Her android hubby Dominic is a championship fighter, and he’s so funny. I love watching their videos, how they prank and joke with each other. They’re so cute.
Would you date an android? is the big question among single adults.
Tentatively, yes. I have some concerns about the shape of our economy, how AI and bionics are taking over the working class.
And if that wasn’t enough, there are some that can be infected with dangerous viruses that make them violent, explosive, frightening.
But after dating boys in high school and college and losing my virginity in the back of a truck, things either crashed and burned naturally or we just had different dreams. If I knew for sure it was safe, I’d be down to date an android.
I’m just not sure about how my family would take it.
Mom and Dad are pretty traditional in their values, and Apollo?
Well, I don’t know. He works with Nolan. Maybe he’d be cool with it, maybe not.
None of that matters, though, if I can’t even work up the bravery to speak to Nolan.
There’s a couple of shoppers left in the store, a pair of women around my age, and wouldn’t you know it, they’ve noticed Nolan too. I mean, how could they not? The man is a tall glass of water. Goddamn, I need to stop being so thirsty.
They keep glancing at him and giggling. Finally, they both approach him while he leans back against the counter. “Hey, um,” one of them begins shyly, “are you Nolan? From the Belmont County Fire Department?”
He smiles at them. “Yep.”
The other squeals. “Oh my god, my dad is such a fan of yours. Would you take a selfie with us?”
“Sure.” Completely at ease with the request, Nolan steps out from behind the counter and stands between them. Subtly, I take note of his hands, folded behind his back.
He’s a gentleman. He doesn’t touch them.
They snap a few pics with their phone and swiftly bounce away. “Thank you!”
“Anytime,” Nolan says, and his eyes flit to me. I quickly look away and try to seem very seriously focused on a glittery fishnet sweater in front of me.
“Hey.”
My heart skips as he comes to stand near me. I look up at him and nibble my lower lip, trying not to smile too brightly. “Hi. You’re a pretty big deal, huh?”
“Something like that, I guess.” He almost looks bashful, rubbing his neck. “There’s just been some news pieces, that’s all. It’s not nearly as glamorous as you might think.” He seems eager to change the subject. “So how are you liking Belmont?”
“Well, I just got here, but so far it’s nice.” I’m trying to be as chill as possible, but I’m fiddling with a ring on my thumb. I think he notices. His eyes flit down my form and up again. “It’s different from South New Carnegie, but I think I’m going to like it here.”
“Oh?” He tilts his head. The gesture should be a little slower, smoother, maybe, but his movement is almost like a bird, and that’s the tell that he’s a little robotic beneath his synthetic materials that make him look oh-so-human.
“Odd. I’d think most people find beaches and sunny weather preferable.
Pennsylvania gets humid with mosquitoes in summer, and then it gets cold, rainy . . .”
“Believe me, after living most of my life here, I used to agree.” I look down at my phone. “Then again, my view just vastly improved. I think I’m beginning to understand the appeal.”
My heart climbs up to my throat. That’s the most forward I’ve ever been. I like being chased, seeing what a man’s made of. Shy, reserved types aren’t my go-to. Nolan lifts his eyebrows and draws in a breath—or what I think sounds like one. Can androids breathe? Probably not.
Apollo comes out of the office, and Nolan lets his smile fade. “Well, glad to hear it. I hope you’ll enjoy your time here,” he says with a glint in those bionic eyes, one that tells me he knows precisely what I was up to. I had no idea how expressive androids could be. It’s incredible.
He’s not exactly flirting back, and I guess it could be a rejection. Either way, at least I shot my shot. “Let me know if you ever want some fashion tips—not that you need them, of course. Just saying. Jess and I are in the same career field, and I always love a good shopping trip.”
A little less dorky than the sweet bun, but also not nearly as smooth as I’d like it to be. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He returns to Apollo.
“I’ll see you at the house after the weekend, Mia,” Apollo tells me.
“Okay, cool.”
“Ready?” Apollo turns his attention to Nolan.
“Whenever you are.”
They head out of the store together, and I let myself down with a little mental pat on the back for trying. I missed my shot.
It could be for the best, right? He does work with my brother.
But then a few minutes later, as I’m stepping outside to grab some night photos of the shop exterior, I hear his voice behind me. “Excuse me. Mia? Sorry, it appears I forgot something.”
I turn to face him with the sweetest smile I can muster, even though I can’t think of anything he might’ve brought in to forget. It’s not like androids need phones, car fobs, or any of the personal effects humans lug around everywhere. “Sure. What is it? I can grab it for you.”
His deep voice is lower, softer than it was before. “Your number.”
Victory soars through me. It’s a miracle my feet are still touching the ground.
“Is that okay?” he says while I stare at him like a deer caught in headlights.
“I thought you were possibly flirting with me earlier. Did I misread your intentions? It’s been a couple of years since my activation, but I still get things wrong from time to time.
But I’d like it if we could talk more, if that’s all right with you. ”
“Oh my god, no.” I’m fumbling over my words. “I was definitely flirting. Probably badly. I’m not exactly great at this stuff.”
“Not at all. It was cute,” he replies. “Wholly unexpected, but not unwelcome.”
I’m beaming so wide my cheeks are already hurting. I rattle off my number to him before I forget.
“I’ll send you a message,” he says.
“Where is Apollo, anyway?” I ask, glancing past him.
“I think one of your parents called, he’s stepped away,” Nolan replies.
I have questions whirling about in my head. He just asked for my number. It’s not like there’s wedding bells ringing in my head or anything crazy like that, right? He just said he’d like to talk more. It’s no big deal.
Still, I have to ask. “Is Apollo cool, with this?”
Nolan’s answer is diplomatic. “Honestly, I didn’t ask.
But he asked me when I met you to make sure you felt comfortable in my presence, and to make you feel welcome.
He explained what happened.” His expression sobers up.
“Sorry about your job. I hope you know, that’s not my directive.
And I don’t think it should be any android’s directive, taking people’s livelihoods. ”
“It’s okay,” I say quickly, though I’m touched. Both that Apollo told him to make me feel welcome, and that he’s being sensitive to my situation. Normally I’d be embarrassed, but it’s actually pretty sweet.
And I’m okay with him not asking for Apollo’s permission. For right now, anyway. Maybe my brother would love to play the protective role, since he kind of missed those cues in my younger years. But for right now, it’s nobody’s business if we’re only communicating.
Take it easy. We flirted. That’s it, so far. And he’s supposed to make me feel welcome. Maybe that’s all this is. Just a friendly exchange. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Mia. “So . . . I’ll talk to you soon?”
Nolan nods with a faint smile as Apollo approaches us both, shoving his cell phone in his pocket. He pinches his brow at me, glancing at Nolan quizzically. “Sorry about that. Mom just wanted to make sure you’re safe and sound.”
“Looks that way,” I reply, waving a little at Nolan. “Nice meeting you.”
“Good night, Mia,” Nolan replies. “The pleasure was mine.”
On the way home with Jessica, I’m trying to chill out and hide it, play it cool, but I’m walking on air. I just landed in New Carnegie, and I’ve already managed to meet the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life, bionic or otherwise.
“You look like you’re in a good mood,” Jessica remarks. “Excited about the new job? It’s not bad, right? I know it’s not Paris, but we do good here.”
“It’s amazing,” I reassure her. “And yeah, I’m in a good mood. So far this is turning out great.”
Jessica smiles and focuses on the road. I could tell her about Nolan, but I think I just want to keep it to myself for a little while until I get settled in, at least, and I wouldn’t Jessica to tell Apollo just yet. So much has happened in just one day.
And I can’t help but wonder when I’ll see him again.